Bush's Impact On U.s. Concerns King's Son

Martin Luther King Iii Says His Father's Quest For Racial Equality Is Attainable.

Speaking in Chicago on the day before the 72nd anniversary of his father's birth, Martin Luther King III called for Americans to peacefully protest in the streets if George W. Bush embraces an "ultra-conservative" agenda, evidence of which King said has appeared in the president-elect's Cabinet nominations.

King, who addressed a standing-room-only crowd at St. Sabina Catholic Church on the South Side, said Bush must prove he can unite the country following the divisive presidential election. To do so, Bush should soon hold a summit of black, white, Latino and Asian community leaders just as he has done with the nation's corporate leaders, King said.

A primary concern, King said, is the nomination of conservative Republican John Ashcroft as attorney general. If confirmed, Ashcroft could "push us 30 years back" in civil rights, he said.

"If we don't see movement, I think people have to go back to the streets in mass numbers," King said. "I think we have to look at whether or not we embrace some serious economic sanctions...For example, people are angry about Florida. You can't really boycott Florida but what you can do is stop drinking Florida orange juice."

In his 50-minute speech during Sunday mass, King wove in references to Bush, the Supreme Court and the presidential election while reiterating many of the themes his father stressed 40 years ago, such as the need for racial equality and ending violence and poverty.

Referring to his father's 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech, King, 43, said that while the slain civil rights leader's vision remains alive, it is unfulfilled.

"The day of which my father dreamed is not today, but I am convinced it can be tomorrow if we follow his example," King told the audience of more than 2,000, which included Atty. Gen. Jim Ryan, Chicago Public Schools chief Paul Vallas, state Rep. Mary Flowers (D-Chicago) and Chicago Housing Authority CEO Terry Peterson.

King, president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference his father co-founded, dubbed the November election and subsequent Supreme Court decision that handed the presidency to Bush "Selection 2000."

"The Supreme Court decided the election, not you or I," said King, urging parishioners to "turn their anger into action" by demanding a fair voting process and making sure Bush hears their voices.

King's address, particularly his political references, resonated with the congregation.

Diana Byrd, 41, a social worker, said King's message was particularly important during a time she described as "critical"--the outset of an administration she fears could set the country back in terms of civil rights.

"He's somebody people respect and will hear what he has to say," said Byrd, a St. Sabina parishioner. "He's willing to speak his mind and say what needs to be said."

Also Sunday, Chicago Public Schools chose the observance of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birth to honor high school seniors who have made a commitment to community service. For the first time, students must complete 40 hours of volunteer work to graduate in the spring.

Eleven students who have logged more than 100 hours were honored in Temple Sholom, a North Side synagogue where King first spoke in October 1964.

"Dr. King said all of us can be great because all of us can serve," said Vallas, who darted to the ceremony from St. Sabina.

One of those students who crossed the stage to shake Vallas' hand was Frederick J. Penman Jr., 18.

Although he will have notched a system-high 1,200 hours of community service when he graduates from Kenwood Academy, Penman said was angry when he first learned about the requirement. But he got hooked his freshman year working in a food pantry, where he said he found it rewarding to "bring a smile to someone's face and help people."

Penman plans to attend college and hopes to become a high school history teacher in Chicago.

"I want to give back to the public school system," Penman said.

"The public school system gave me a lot."

At St. Sabina, the parish is doing more than bringing in Dr. King's son to honor the civil rights leader. Rev. Michael Pfleger announced Sunday the parish has taken two homeless men from a shelter, given them an apartment near the church and is committed to helping them find employment and gain economic independence within a year.

Pfleger challenged other Chicago churches to do the same, saying that if each took in two homeless people "we could end homelessness today."